NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Tommy DeVoss, better known as ‘dawgyg,’ shares the extraordinary story of his transformation from a prolific cybercriminal to one of the world‘s wealthiest ethical hackers.
This remarkable journey has seen him amass over $2 million (£1.6 million) in earnings, all while contributing to the enhancement of cybersecurity by exploiting vulnerabilities in systems belonging to major entities like Yahoo, Twitter (now X), Uber, and even the U.S. Government.
Tommy’s evolution from black hat to white hat hacker can be attributed, in large part, to platforms like HackerOne, which provide ethical hackers with opportunities to harness their skills for the greater good. These platforms enable hackers to report security flaws and vulnerabilities, ultimately strengthening cybersecurity measures.
One astonishing achievement in Tommy’s ethical hacking career was a staggering $180,000 (£147,000) payout in a single day for assisting Yahoo. He now ranks among a select group of hackers who have earned over $2 million (£1.6 million) through such platforms.
However, Tommy’s journey hasn’t always been on the right side of the law. He faced federal prison sentences three times due to his earlier involvement in unlawful activities, a period he describes as thinking that his life was over, anticipating a bleak future in a dead-end job.
Tommy’s introduction to hacking began at the age of nine, when he accidentally stumbled upon a chatroom filled with hackers. Initially unaware of legal boundaries, he began experimenting with his newfound knowledge. Over time, he exploited over 10,000 governments, militaries, and companies, often driven by boredom.
His targets included notable names such as Nokia, Sony, Mercedes-Benz, and EA Sports. At one point, he infiltrated 700 companies within a mere five minutes by breaking into a hosting provider.
Tommy’s life took a dramatic turn in 2005 when he was convicted of breaching U.S. military computers and faced FBI raids. Recalling one such raid in vivid detail, he spoke of the shock and fear as FBI agents stormed his apartment.
Despite the consequences and prison sentences that followed his illegal activities, Tommy’s addiction to hacking and the adrenaline rush it provided remained unshaken. He described the rush he experienced from hacking as comparable to that of drugs.
During his stints in prison, Tommy endured solitary confinement, with only one phone call allowed every 30 days. It was only after his final release that he stumbled upon the world of ethical hacking and ‘bug bounties,’ where hackers are rewarded for uncovering system vulnerabilities.
HackerOne, a U.S.-based firm dedicated to collaborating with ethical hackers to reduce security risks, became Tommy’s gateway to the ethical hacking world. It offers numerous bug bounty programs and scenario-based activities that teach individuals how to get involved in ethical hacking.
Tommy’s career now includes working as a Staff Security Engineer at Braze, a U.S.-based company. His transition from illegal hacking to legal ethical hacking enabled him to earn approximately $100,000 (£81,000) annually while dedicating 10 to 20 hours a month to the practice. He has successfully hacked the U.S. Government, Yahoo, Uber, and many other organizations through these ethical programs.
Tommy believes that bug bounties are becoming more challenging due to heightened competition. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, as ethical hackers often face numerous failures before achieving success. To those interested in pursuing ethical hacking, he advises adopting a mindset that embraces constant learning and acknowledges that failures are part of the journey.
Tommy’s story takes an inspiring turn as he reveals that his seven-year-old daughter aspires to follow in his footsteps and become an ethical hacker. She proudly tells others that her daddy is a hacker, expressing her desire to combine this with teaching and ballet.
This remarkable journey underscores the transformative power of ethical hacking, offering second chances and the potential for immense personal growth while contributing to the protection of digital systems and data. The FBI declined to comment on Tommy DeVoss’s criminal history, with his records reportedly redacted by the U.S. military in 2016.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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